MOVEMBER Prostate Cancer Awareness Month

Prostate Cancer: Symptoms, Prevention and Early Detection

Prostate cancer is the SECOND most common cause of cancer in men!

In November, we draw attention to serious problems affecting men’s health, primarily prostate diseases. Among them, the most dangerous is the malignant tumor of the prostate, which can now be screened and cured if detected in time.

The Movember movement started in Australia, and raises awareness of prostate cancer. Its name comes from the combination of the words mustache and November—men who join this movement grow mustaches or beards and women stand out to support them.

Regular screenings can help diagnose prostate cancer at an early stage, that’s why it’s important to know how the disease is detected.

Signs and symptoms

In the early stage prostate cancer has no typical symptoms, and only screening tests can detect the disease, which is an important factor in treatment.

In more advanced stages, signs and symptoms may include:

  • Urinating more often than usual or having difficulty starting urination;
  • Difficulty emptying the bladder (hesitancy);
  • Blood in the urine or semen;
  • Pain in the lower back, hips, or pelvis that doesn’t go away after a few days’ rest.

Of course, feel free to contact your urologist with any complaints you may have.

Main risk factors

  • Age: As men get older, their risk of prostate cancer increases. The chance of developing this disease is higher by 10% for each year after age 50.
  • Family history: Those men whose close male blood relative (e.g. parent, sibling, or child) was diagnosed with prostate cancer, or whose mothers or sisters were diagnosed with breast or ovarian cancer before age 55, are at increased risk.
  • Diet: Studies have linked diets high in red meat and low in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains with an increased risk of getting this cancer.
  • Obesity: Men who are overweight or obese are more likely than those who are normal weight to develop this disease.
  • Ethnicity: African American and other men of African ancestry, are more likely to develop prostate cancer than white men, according to the National Cancer Institute (NCI) of the United States.

How to prevent prostate cancer?

Take steps to prevent prostate cancer by making healthy lifestyle choices. These include eating a balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables, maintaining a healthy weight, exercising regularly, and avoiding tobacco products.

Screening is an important part of early detection. Screening can often find cancers before they grow large enough to cause symptoms or before they spread beyond the prostate gland.

The European Association of Urology recommends regular prostate screening from the age of 45.

Prostate Cancer - Importance of early detection

Prostate cancer screening

The screenings determine the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level with a blood test and a physical examination. An elevated PSA level indicates a prostate disease: prostate cancer, prostatitis, or benign enlargement. Besides that, a painless physical examination supplements the blood test.

If the elevated PSA level or the physical examination reveals a malignant disease of the prostate, the doctor may suggest further examination: ultrasound, MR, or a histological examination.

How prostate cancer is diagnosed?

Prostate cancer manual examination Manual examination: An inevitable part of cancer screening is the manual examination of the prostate through the rectum, which is aimed at preventing the disease. This may be uncomfortable, but not painful, as the doctor performs the examination discreetly and gently.

Prostate cancer screening ultrasound Ultrasound: The ultrasound examination provides an extremely accurate picture and immediate feedback on the state of the prostate. This can screen out prostate cancer with high probability, even if it has not yet produced symptoms. If detected early, suspicious lesions can be effectively remedied. A full bladder is necessary for a proper ultrasound examination. Drink plenty of fluids and refrain from urinating before the screening test.

Prostate cancer screening laboratoryLaboratory: Thanks to the development of diagnostic methods, PSA can be detected in the blood. The test is reliable, it cannot happen that it does not immediately indicate an emerging disease. Refrain from intense physical exercises, such as long-distance cycling, and avoid prostate massage, rectal prostate examination, and sexual activity in the two days before the PSA examination, as these can increase PSA values.

Conclusion

The risk of dying from prostate cancer is one-third lower among men who have regular prostate checkups. All men over the age of 50 should participate annually in a combined screening. A men’s health screening involves a physical examination by a urologist and a PSA level check. This is especially important if you have a family history of prostate cancer. In such cases, a check-up is necessary from the age of 45.

Contact us if you have any questions about prostate diseases and their testing.